In another shocking incident involving killing of kidnap victims, a businessman of Dimapur, kidnapped in the morning of May 10 at around 7 a.m.was murdered and body recovered by Diphupar Police on May 12 near ESSAR petrol pump at 7th Mile, Tenyiphe-II village, after residents informed police.A statement issued by Dimapur police PRO revealed that the body of the victim, one Md. Israr, a resident of Walford Colony, was found with hands tied behind and eyes blindfolded and a single gunshot wound on the head. Residents told police that three unidentified persons were seen moving in the area after midnight and suspected them to be the kidnappers. They also said a gun shot was heard in the area at around 1.30 a.m. Thursday.The PRO stated that the victim was intercepted by the kidnappers while coming out of his house and whisked into an Indica car and taken to an unknown destination. Later, the kidnappers contacted the family through mobile phone and demanded a ransom of Rs.3 crore for his release.Using the CDR to trace calls, Dimapur Police tracked the call to Sovima-Tenyiphe area after which a Special Operations Team (SoT) of the Dimapur Police was pressed into service. Meanwhile, after negotiations, the ransom demand was scaled down from Rs.3 crore to Rs.16,50,000 and it was agreed to make the transaction near Chekiye village gate along the National High 29 on May 11.A person who arrived at the rendezvous to collect the ransom on May 11 at around 4.30 p.m., was overpowered and caught by the police SoT. The person was identified by police as one s.s.’maj’Rosou Rhi of the NSCN(I-M) and son of late Rhokho Rhi of Zhamai village.Investigations revealed that the victim was confined in a farmhouse at Tenyiphe-I but when police rushed to the spot, the victim and the kidnappers had fled. Subsequently, a combined team of police and Tenyiphe-I villagers searched the entire area but could not trace the victim. The ASP & PRO said as per confessional statement of ss ‘maj’Rosou Rhi, four members of the NSCN(I-M)were involved in the crime.They were identified as (i) ‘2nd.Lt’ Umesh Bihari of the outfit’s military internal security(MIS); (ii)John Chakhesang @ James from Khezakenoma village(iii) Kevikhol Angami@Avito@Ato son of Tuhokhwel Sophie of Jakhama ‘ss’ Regional Security Intelligence Officer(RSIO).Police said Umesh Bihari was the mastermind behind the kidnap and also known to the victim. All three above named are absconding. One Ganga Thapa Nepali, a farmer, who was hiding and who is the owner of the farmhouse where the victim had been confined was also arrested with the help of Tenyiphe villagers from the village vicinity.Silent procession Condemning the killing of Md. Israr, the Dimapur Chamber of Commerce and Industries (DCCI) organized a silent procession from Walford to SP Office Dimapur and handed copies of memorandum to SP and DC Dimapur. Business community closed down their establishments during the procession which started at 12 noon. According to DCCI president, Kasheto Yepthomi, the closure of business establishment was “voluntarily” carried out by the business community. He said that the DCCI did not encourage such closure of shops. Kasheto also said that the police have assured to take necessary steps at the earliest. Pointing out that such incidences has no place in society, the DCCI president called upon all the righting thinking citizens to denounce the murder.NSCN (I-M) condemns The Joint Council of the Steering Committee and the Cabinet of the NSCN (I-M) has its strongest term condemned the abduction and killing of businessman Md. Israr in Dimapur on Thursday. According to the MIP, the joint meeting was held on Thursday and decided to deal with “heaviest punishment” if any NSCN member was found involved in the heinous crime.Towards this effect, the MIP said that investigating agencies of the government have been activated to immediately get hold of the culprits still at large. The joint council meeting also conveyed heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family members and business communities of Dimapur. Muslim Council Muslim Council Dimapur and the Religious body of the Idgah Committee Dimapur of which Late Md Israr was a member, has condemned the kidnapping and murder, and appealed to the authorities to book the culprits as per the law of the land and do justice to the bereaved family.NCD working president, A Rahman described Md Israr as a simple religious minded man who was widely respected by the community members.Strongly condemning the crime committed by some miscreants using the name of national workers within its jurisdiction, the Tenyiphie – I Village Council urged the responsible authorities to book the culprits at the earliest. The village council conveyed condolences to the bereaved family. Dimapur Tyre Dealers Association also strongly condemned the incident and said that the “inhuman act” of killing an innocent businessman has shocked the entire business community. It appealed the authorities to take immediate action against the culprits and also conveyed condolences to the bereaved family members. Sand Stockiest & Supplier Union Dimapur, Chumukedima Area Stone Crusher Union, Bolder & Sand Gravel Supply Union Dimapur, Brick Field Owners’ Union Dimapur and Pick Up Vehicle Union Dimapur jointly condemned the incident and demanded justice at the earliest. The organizations also conveyed condolences to the bereaved family members.The GS Road Business Owners’ Association also strongly condemned the killing and appealed all responsible NGOs to condemn such act. The association condoled the death of Md Israr. Organisations condemn Several organizations have vehemently condemned the kidnapping and subsequent killing of businessman Md. Israr and demanded booking of all those involved in the crime. Altogether 15 business organizations filed a joint FIR against the killing demanding the arrest of all persons involved within three days failing which the signatories said they would not be held responsible for any untoward incident. As per the FIR, Md Israr, a resident of Walfrod Colony was kidnapped from Burma Camp near Belhos Nursing Home on May 10 at around 7 a.m. It was stated that Rs 3 crore was initially demanded from the family members as ransom but the amount was finally negotiated to Rs sixteen and half lakh. Despite the negotiation, the businessman was murdered and his body found at 7th mile near ESSAR Petrol Pump in the wee hours of Thursday, the signatories said.The organisations have vehemently condemned the “inhuman and coward act.”